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Same-sex marriage bill in France ap...

After a series of debates, France’s lawmakers allowed the law of same-sex marriage and to adopt kids, a reform which causes several protests and c...

Three Yemeni linked to al-Qaeda par...

Three Al-Qaeda members were part of the terrorist attack in United States diplomatic compound last September in Benghazi, said some sources. A sen...

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H7N9 birdflu carrier detected in Ch...

A 4-year-old carrier of the H7N9 bird flu was discovered by the doctors of China who shows no symptoms of the virus. The doctors worry about the d...

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7.8 magnitude quake hit Iran-Pakist...

35 dead and more than 150 injured according to the authorities because of the earthquake that hit Islamabad, Pakistan. U.S. Geological Survey stat...

Same-sex marriage bill in France approved by lawmakers

May. 06 France no comments

After a series of debates, France’s lawmakers allowed the law of same-sex marriage and to adopt kids, a reform which causes several protests and chauvinistic attacks. Majority of the ruling Socialist Party voted on 331 against the 225 who voted against the implementation of the law at the National Assembly.

France has joined several other countries mostly in Europe in allowing same-sex marriage and adoption. Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said “Many will be proud for the implementation of the law and by June they are expected to celebrate the nation’s first same-sex marriage”. According to the states pollsters half of the votes are in favor of the gay marriage rather than 1981 closure of the death penalty.

A number of individuals are proclaiming their protests against the bill but the gay community is shouting for joy for the implementation of the bill on April 23. One officer of the National Assembly was harassed by a 22-year-old anti- gay protester. He was arrested and charge of violence. The numbers of complaints are totally increasing because they believed that the government are rejecting their request. Religious groups have also opposed for the implementation of the bill. 100,000 same-sex couples were recorded in 2011 by the National Statistics Institute.

Three Yemeni linked to al-Qaeda participated in the Benghazi terrorist attack

Apr. 29 International News no comments

Three Al-Qaeda members were part of the terrorist attack in United States diplomatic compound last September in Benghazi, said some sources. A senior U.S. official said that at least 3 or 4 members of the group in Arabian Peninsula were part of the attack. Based on the investigations made by the Benghazi police, the Western Intelligence services believed that the group had sent their members to make the attack.

Anti-terrorism officials discovered the identity of the suspects and they learn that they spent two nights in Benghazi just after the attack took place. The intelligence agencies are already tracking the men but they failed. Later on they were tracked in Northern Mali where they were suspected to be linked with a commander of a jihadist leader Moktar Belmoktar. Belmoktar was a known terrorist in Algeria connected to the Al-Qaeda group in the Islamic Maghreb who plead the responsibility on January’s attack in a gas facility in In Amenas in the southeastern part of Algeria. The leader was suspected to have moved in late 2012 in the region after there were reports on the growth of international intercession in Mali.

In connection to the attack in the Benghazi, Al-Shibli was only the known culprit who is in their confinement. During the wake of the revolts, Al-Qaeda members had found a way to plan an attack together with the jihadists group who cooperated with them. If an attack is launch by the Al-Qaeda Arab Peninsula group on US Diplomats, it will reveal that the revolutionist group will remain under pressure because there fellow members are making new ways to prolong violent attacks.

H7N9 birdflu carrier detected in China

Apr. 22 China no comments

A 4-year-old carrier of the H7N9 bird flu was discovered by the doctors of China who shows no symptoms of the virus. The doctors worry about the difficulties in monitoring the spread of the infection. The boy was detected from the poultry vendors found in Chaoyang District. The results of the laboratory shows that the boy was a positive carrier of the disease according to the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau.

According to the report, the parents of the boy were engaged in fishing and poultry trading. The associate professor of the School of Public Health at the University of Hongkong Dr. Leo Poon Lit-man, aforementioned that the medical authorities should stay alert although there is no evidence that the virus can be transferred from human to human. Dr. Poon is not really sure whether H7N9 is transmissible in humans for it is normally found on birds. It was until last month that they discovered that it could possibly infect people.

Last Tuesday China invited a team of international experts from the World He to guide and control spread of the H7N9 bird flu virus. Chinese experts on epidemiology, laboratory tests, and clinical treatment, U.S officials and members of WHO and the European Union were united to help the birdflu outbreak. Dr. Poon added that human-to-human transmission would give a huge problem to detect the disease. 77 cases were confirmed of the virus and 16 were reported dead according to China’s Health Officials. China said that they are trying to improve their equipments in order to detect the disease earlier to avoid the infection from spreading.

 

7.8 magnitude quake hit Iran-Pakistani border

Apr. 15 Pakistan no comments

35 dead and more than 150 injured according to the authorities because of the earthquake that hit Islamabad, Pakistan. U.S. Geological Survey stated that the measured magnitude of the earthquake is 7.8 which wrecked more than 150 mud houses last Tuesday in Balochistan province. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority quickly sent food and doctors for the injured people.

Two aftershocks were being reported Wednesday morning according to Shafiq Ahmed of the Pakistan’s meteorological department. Magnitudes measured were 6.0 and the other one is 5.3. A dozen of people were wounded in the Iranian side. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake is expected to damage a populated area, says Carrieann Bedwell a USGS seismologist.

3:15 last Tuesday about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the Iranian City of Saravan, the epicenter of the quake hit the city. One of the worst areas was Mashkell where hundreds of establishments and buildings were destroyed in the marketplace.There were several aftershocks felt in Mashkell the next morning. In the city of Quetta, about 200 miles east-northeast of Mashkell, residents said that they were scared because the floor shook and several objects fell to the ground when the earthquake hit the city.

Pakistani hospitals were occupied with injured victims. Dozens of dead bodies were found in the Iranian border. Helicopters were filled with relief goods to be given to the affected areas. The survivors were looking for some of their belongings in the mud houses which collapsed during the quake. In some areas the Pakistanis were standing outside the establishments when they realized that it was a strong earthquake.

New Kenyan President to be Sworn in office

Apr. 09 International News no comments

The newly elected Kenyan President is due to be sworn in a stadium of Nairobi. President elect Uhuru Kenyatta is declared as Kenya’s President and will swear in front of a crowd in Kenya. After the result of the Kenyan elections last month, Mr. Kenyatta emerged the winner. The Supreme Court in Kenya has upheld the President’s victory after facing charges in the International Criminal Court for the incident of a post-election violence in the country going on for five years.

The new President of Kenya is the son of the founding father of the country, Uhuru Kenyatta. He was known to have a lot of the fortunes in Kenya. Before becoming Kenya’s President, he was serving the country as the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade. He was described as Kenya’s youngest President to be sworn. Mr. Kenyatta is 51-years-old and have won the election in March this year.

The new Kenyan President has defeated his political rival Raila Odinga during the elections. Mr. Kenyatta had more than 8,100 votes ahead of Mr. Odinga. According to the news, Mr. Odinga has contested about the election results but afterwards released a statement saying that he will already respect the decision of the country’s Supreme Court. The new Kenyan President said that the Kenyan government will be working with and serving the Kenyans without the presence of discrimination. He also prayed for peace to reign in the country. It was reported that in 2001 there was a problem with the Kenyan elections and the 2013 election was the first election held after six years.

Bird Flu is now back in China after two were found dead

Apr. 02 China no comments

A report coming from Hongkong stated that there were two people who died in China due to Bird Flu. The news agency in China said that the a man from the Chinese capital, Shanghai was dead after being ill with bird flu and a woman in the city of Chuzhou was also dead after she was ill with the same cause. Two of the victims experienced coughing, fever, and was said to have developed pneumonia. Both of them had difficulties in breathing. These are the symptoms that the two were affected with the bird flu.

The Health Commission in China formed a team that includes experts in the field. The team of experts was assigned to look into the issue. Aside from the two who died, there was one person who still is in a critical condition, who was also reported to be experiencing the same initial symptoms of the bird flu. There were investigations held as to where the three got the virus but the investigators did not trace it yet. The Health Commission in China released a statement saying that the three people could have possibly infected each other. One Professor coming from the School of Public Health in the University of Hongkong said that the importance of knowing where the virus has come from is necessary and critical information.

The Professor added that the avian flu of known as the H7H9 has already existed in the birds, the virus has transferred to poultry, and this could be the reason why the humans were infected. Since the report has shown that those who were in contact with the three affected people did not show symptoms, the virus was declared not to be very contagious among the human beings.

Russia has supplied China with Fighter Jets and Submarines

Mar. 25 China, Russia no comments

The government of China has purchased a lot military fighter jets and submarines. It was reported that this was the 1st time that the country had made another huge military purchase. There were 4 submarines that will be owned by the Chinese Military. Two of the submarines will be made in Russian while the other two in China. The Chinese President visited Moscow and signed a deal with the Russian President regarding the purchase of jest and submarines. Russia and China has shown military cooperation.

It was reported that it was also China’s first time to join the United State’s biggest Military exercises in 2014. According to the correspondents, the both the capital Beijing and Moscow has made a balance since they see that America has the military dominance. Aside from the 4 submarines, China will also purchase a total number of 24 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. China’s Central Television reported that both the Chinese and Russian government did not yet divulge the exact value of the purchased equipments. The Budget of China’s Defense already increased to £65 Billion last year while the United States has spent $700 Billion.

Local news, the People’s Daily said in a statement that the new purchased Su-35 fighter jets will reduce the pressure of the air defense in China. The Chinese President’s 3-day visit in Moscow since last Friday includes talks about deals that Russia will be supplying Liquefied Natural gas and oil to Beijing. It was the President’s choice to have China as his 1st state visit since he became the new President of the People’s Republic of China.

A Deadly Blast in Somalia’s Capital

Mar. 18 International News no comments

A loud blast occurred in Somalia when a suicide bomber was reported to blow up a car. The destruction was severe and by standers described the incident horrible when body parts were scattered in different areas near the Presidential palace in Somalia’s capital. An intelligence chief was wounded during the said blast.

The Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdi Farah Shirdon told BBC that the attack was an act of cowardice. It was reported that the suicide bomb attack was carried by the al-Qaeda linked group Al-Shabab. The security in the capital was improved in August 2011. The attack that was carried this year was described one of the most deadly in the city. There were eight people who died following the blast according to the police official. A passenger in a mini bus was dead because of the blast. A witness named, Hassan said that the disaster brought smoke and scattered bodies everywhere.

The al-Qaeda linked group has carried out the bomb attack to harm the intelligence chief of Mogadishu, Khalif Ahmed Ilig. The attack has left the Chief with minor injuries according to a BBC reporter. The government troops also fired shot in the air to disperse the large crowd in the scene. There were 20 people who were wounded according to the report released by the city’s hospital. Buildings and Restaurants were destroyed and partly damaged by the said explosion. Most of the theaters and the presidential palace were closed after the incident occurred. It was reported that the al-Shabab already withdrew in 2011 but the assassinations and different attacks were still happening in the city.

NYPD Police Guilty of Plotting Crimes

Mar. 12 United States no comments

A police officer in the New York Police District is guilty of murdering his wife and eating other women. 28-year-old Gilberto Valle was said to have carried out cannibal plots. He was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case of Valle was heard in the Manhattan Federal Court. During the hearing it was clear how Gilberto Valle took steps in making his plan of torturing and eating women.

Valle has also used the NYPD’s database to search for his victim’s personal information. His purpose was to contact the women thru phone or email and then meet them at once. The Defense Lawyers said that Valle was influenced by different websites he was browsing and tried to do the act. He was said to have used and research through the internet on how to make a person unconscious. He also tried to find the best rope to use when tying up a person. After an investigation, it was found out on Valle’s computer that he had researched about white slavery and the human flesh.

Unfortunately, the wife of the accused testified against him. Kathleen Mangan gave the details on how her husband carried out the plan. It was to her surprise that there were emails that detailed a plan on how to kidnap her friend and slit her throat. There were vivid testimonials in the court that detailed how Valle would rape two women and roast them alive on fire. Most of these testimonials came from his wife. Gilberto Valle received a guilty verdict on Tuesday given by the Manhattan prosecutor.

Banks Mis-sold Interest Rate Products

Mar. 01 Britain no comments

In Britain, banks have been found to be selling to customers wrongfully.  An official review by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has found that 9 out of 10 interest rate swaps were mis-sold.

The study by the FSA found that customers were sold these complex financial products without fully understanding the risks associated with them.  Hundreds of thousands of small to medium sized businesses are thought to have been affected – but there is hope for compensation claims for mis sold rate swaps.

The institutions involved in the scandal include Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The Banks have agreed to review an estimated 40,000 cases alongside independent auditors and recompense victims.  Billions of pounds are expected to be paid out to redress businesses which were disadvantaged by buying the interest rate swaps.

These financial products are intended to protect businesses from future fluctuations in interest rates. However, when rates were low businesses were tied in to higher rates.  Many business owners found themselves having to pay expensive charges they could not afford, and faced even more costs to get out of the contract. Thousands of businesses are thought to have failed or forced to make redundancies as they could not keep up with payments for the interest rate swaps they had purchased.

The news that banks acted outside FSA regulations follows a series of scandals including Payment Protection Insurance, rigged Libor rates, mis-selling of insurance on loans and mortgages, and banks acting outside money laundering rules.

The cost of compensating affected businesses has been estimated in the range £1b – £10b.

The Business Secretary Vince Cable has said “banks must not pursue companies for money whilst the dispute is still been resolved”.  So far, Barclays has agreed to suspend payments for companies affected by mis-selling. The bank said those in financial distress would not be forced to continue paying fines.

Legal experts and financial commenters have suggested the process of recompensing customers on a case by case basis may take too long. Many businesses may still be at risk of shutting down as their finances have been affected.

Mr Cable has told banks they “must clean their act up”.

Customers who were mis-sold interest rate swaps and are now in financial distress have been advised to contact their banks or seek advice from specialists found at InterestRateSwapsClaim.co.uk.